Kelton watched with fascination as deep blue eyes studied his features. Little hands made tiny fists as the babe concentrated on the task. Kelton closed his eyes tight, then snapped them open. The little fists flew open and a wide grin that contained no teeth formed. Short bursts of air replaced the laughter one would expect of an adult. Kelton repeated the deed and was once again rewarded with the babe's joy.

"Enjoying yourself?" The Princess asked. Many in the room chuckled.

"Aye, Mistress," Kelton replied, not looking away from the little one. It was the first time he had been given the chance to cradle Yelvin Tarvakian in his lap. "Everything is new and wonderful to him. He is...he is perfect."

"He is, isn't he," Alliette agreed, sounding if she were in the same dream as Kelton.

"Are not all Tarvakians?" Zello pointed out. That brought out more laughter. Kelton smiled, but his eyes never wavered from Yelvin. The child reminded him of another babe from years ago, Marnice's child Zachary, the one rescued from brigands. Kelton's mind glossed over the memory of the dead thieves and began comparing Yelvin to Zachary. Both were innocent of the world, and enjoyed expression play. And both their smiles were to be cherished — toothless wonders of pure delight.

"Fawning over my grandson is all well and good, but it is his legacy we build here." Tarvakian reminded everyone that there was work to be done. Kelton looked up at his masters and all the silvers who sat around the table. A lot had changed, and all for the better.

House Tarvakian had grown more substantial than any had foreseen. Arguably, house Tarvakian had emerged the most powerful next to house Victalica. The stables had doubled in size, and cloth production more than tripled. Side ventures, like the muzzle, dresses, and Eyrus's paintings had done equally as well. The favor of house Victalica mixed with Tarvakian quality had erased all limits on profits.

"Vasco, do you have the sums?" Tarvakian asked.

"Aye, Master," Vasco said as he stood. He began reciting the accumulated sums of the house for the past month, starting with the leather works.

Beldin sat straighter in his silver as Vasco quoted the excellent numbers. Felicity was proud at his side. It was her duty to deal with the logs and sums for him. Kelton smiled at the man's seriousness.

When contracts began to grow, a weakness emerged centered around there being only one Vasco. Tasks and the need for coordination sprouted faster than the capabilities of one man could organize, even if he could throw Kelton in one direction as he went in another. Kelton had seen the number of silvers the King deployed, each given a responsibility that eased the burden on others. Beldin was Kelton's suggestion. There was no doubt in Kelton's mind of Beldin's skill in leather operations. Beldin lacked literacy, but that was easily handled by Felicity.

Tarvakian silvers were kings of their domain, yet beholding to Vasco. Kelton's idea was validated in a few months, and Vasco supported the spread with all his heart. He was getting older, after all.

Vasco moved from cloth production to finished cloth goods. Glenda smiled at Yelvin as the boy gripped Kelton's pinky and struggled to pull it off. Glenda was a gamble. Would she accept silver or choose freedom. It was the Princess that secured her choice. Alliette whispered in Glenda's ear, words Kelton now knew were of a babe to be. Glenda was second to hear of the pending birth and Zello's desire for her to remain. She saw herself as a grandmother and intended to act as one.

There were seven silvers in all now — kitchen, stable, leather, cloth production, finished cloth, shipping, and of course, Vasco. The coordination was still complex but manageable. Vasco had time to breathe again. He and Kelton could squeeze in visits to the library.

"I thank you all," Tarvakian said when Vasco finished. "It is a wonder what we accomplish. Our house continues to grow, and somehow we are not buried by the duty." He smirked. "Though sometimes I fear we will be." That brought out more chuckles as everyone remembered tasks that at first seemed insurmountable.

"I have been queried again by some of your property, Master," Vasco said.

"Same question?"

"Aye," Vasco replied. "They wish to know the house's profits by day. I have asked them why and have been told it is a thing of pride, nothing more."

Kelton lifted his pinky, forcing Yelvin to grip tighter and pull back. The tiny boy thought it a great game.

"A strange request," Zello said.

"Our house is a good house," Alliette said. "Mayhap, they would take pride in the sum and the way it increases. Should we hide such things from them?"

Kelton let Yelvin win some, then pulled back again. He loved Yelvin's silent laugh. Kelton's mind leaped from the reality around him to an imagined world where he and another played such games with a babe of their own making.

"I have not decided, daughter," Tarvakian replied. "It is never mentioned elsewhere. I have always thought the sums private to family, and the ones who tally it. Does anyone see any harm in it?"

Kelton's imagination added another babe. A family where laughter ruled. The silliness of young ones a treat for his eyes and those of... It had been some time since he had thought on Juno. Her imagined smile warmed his mind. A good dream to be sure.

"Mayhap, they wish to remind you, Master," Glenda said in her authoritative way. "They may desire profits to be divvied so all can benefit."

Kelton let his fantasy grow larger. Yelvin cared only for attention and didn't mind playing a part in the story.

"Have I not done so?" Tarvakian asked the group. Food and clothing had been bettered. New housing was being built with utility and comfort in mind.

Kelton wondered what it would be like to be beholding only to himself and Juno. A family where the world turned about them and demanded nothing. Time with no duty beyond deriving joy. It brought a smile to his face, and then he laughed when an idea came to him. Yelvin joined him.

"You find humor in this, Kelton?" Tarvakian asked.

"Aye, Master," Kelton said. "I think it is time they seek, though they wish you not hurt by it."

"Hurt by it?" Tarvakian questioned.

"What are you talking about?" Alliette asked.

"Mayhap, it is days they desire, Mistress," Kelton said. "Think of what they ask for, and think of what they own."

"Own?" Alliette asked as she turned to her husband. "What do property own?"

"Ahh, the Kuzzle fund," Vasco exclaimed with a chuckle. "It has grown large."

"You think they desire days? Do I not spare them enough?" Tarvakian asked.

"Aye, Master. Yet, they are rarely spared for all at the same time. I think they mean to close down the house and share in some days of doing nothing together," Kelton said. "You own their time, and they wish to use their coin to get some of it back."

"A good shared use of the fund, Master," Beldin said. Glenda laughed her agreement. It was a bold idea that seemed to tease her sense of humor.

"It is a terrible idea," Zello said. "There are deliveries to be made, and our contracts will not wait on a closed house." The Princess laid her hand on Zello's arm. She added a smile, which made him less adamant.

"I do not think it a good precedent to set," Alliette said. "Though I do not think shared time is a bad thing, it is the buying of it that is of concern. If we allow too much control, would they not foul our planning and commitments as my love has pointed out."

"Then, if what Kelton has guessed is true, we must steer them to something else," Tarvakian said. "It would be foolhardy and unfair to retract the fund. It would undermine trust and..." His words petered out as a smile appeared on his face. Some new idea crossed his features.

"Vasco, is there one among them who speaks for all?" Tarvakian asked.

"Three have brought me the question as a group," Vasco replied.

Tarvakian nodded. "Gather them and bring them here." He waved his hand to send Vasco on his way. "I need to confer with only family for a moment. The rest of you wait in the hall until Vasco returns." With reluctance, Kelton returned Yelvin to his mother and retired to the hall.

"You are right in your guess," Felicity whispered to Kelton.

"Why did you not say something?"

"In there, Beldin speaks," Felicity said. "I wear copper, not silver."

"I wear copper as well."

"Aye, though I think it tinged with gold in Master's eyes," Felicity said. "I will wait for my time. What is your guess on the family's words in there?"

"Something devious," Kelton replied with mock horror. "Master finds solutions I do not expect."

"They are fearful of angering Master," Felicity said. "They wanted to know the sum before they brought forth the idea. I was to help them with the figuring and see if it can be done at all."

"Beldin is right; it is a fine idea. Mayhap, Master will allow a day if given enough warning." Kelton shrugged. "Unplanned, it can cause havoc with schedules and such."

"Many will be upset if it can not be. It is thought the fund was for such things, and everyone has worked hard to build it. Can you not speak with Master?"

"Aye, though I am not there to do so. It is easier to steer a decision than to change it. In this, I fear profits may be the decider. Our Mistress is High Mistress outside these walls, and our Masters aim to prove to the Kingdom that she is well placed."

"The joy of a new grandson must carry weight, "Felicity said.

"Mayhap," Kelton said. "Yelvin is a treasure to be sure. And Mistress's mood has calmed now that he is out of her belly. She may be an ally in this. Or mayhap, they see our youngest Master as inheriting an even greater house. In which case, profits will win out."

"Vasco returns." Felicity pointed down the hall where Vasco and three coppers approached. The coppers looked at the collection of waiting silvers with discomfort. Cotter was the one in the lead, a man who worked the dye vats. Kelton had dealt with him a lot of late. He was younger than most who worked the vats, yet had a mind wiser than his years. Cotter knew his dyes well and had helped Kelton on his whittling project. Kelton did not want to see him and the others scarred by disappointment.

"Angry?" Cotter whispered to Felicity when he neared. Cotter's eyes flicked to the door where he knew his Master waited.

"Nay," Felicity said, shaking her head. "Though you may not hear what you wish." Cotter sighed. The other two looked dejected at the words.

"Mayhap, it will go better," Kelton said, not wanting them to lose hope before it is decided.

"It is hard to use a fund you can not spend," Thi said. She worked for Glenda. Sizing and cutting cloth was her task, and if Yanda was correct, she was good at it. There was anger buried in her words. It was the first time Kelton questioned the creation of the fund. He did not foresee possible limits on its use.

Zello opened the doors and indicated for all to enter. It was odd how the room filled. The Master and his family were lined standing at the back of the room. The silvers standing along the sides unbidden as the coppers filled the center. Felicity and Kelton chose to stay with their color, yet closest to Beldin and Vasco. It was as if the layers of caste were designated official locations, yet no one said a word to organize it.

"Cotter, are you the one who speaks for all?" Master asked. There was no smile or frown to indicate a decision.

"I have the words of some, Master," Cotter said. "Only you may speak for all." Kelton smiled as Cotter once again proved his wisdom. Kelton caught a small smirk forming on Alliette's lips before she pulled it back.

"It has come to my attention that many wish to use the fund to buy days from me. Is this the desire?" Again, Master's expression was stiff and failed to yield a negative or positive view on the subject.

"We wished to know if there is enough coin before we broached the desire. But aye, it is the hope." Cotter's shoulders squared. "Is there enough, Master?"

Tarvakian's lips pursed tightly, and his eyes narrowed. He looked to Zello, who nodded. Master's eyes moved to the Princess, who was cradling Yelvin in her arms. She nodded as well.

"It has been discussed with my son and daughter. They and I have decided it can not be done," Master said in an unyielding way. Cotter's head dropped. Thi's faced stiffened as tight as Masters.

"Unfortunately," Master continued, "the plans of your newest master, my grandson, can not be undone."

"Master?" Cotter said in confusion, his eyes rising from the floor.

"It is true," Zello said. "My son has laid out his master plan, and it will not allow you to buy days. There would be too much disruption in trade."

"Plan?" Thi asked. "Master." she stuttered after she remembered her place.

"Aye, his plan," the Princess said, stepping forward. "Yelvin desires to be Master of the greatest of houses. And he knows what it takes to do so." Aliette's face cracked, and a smile appeared. She turned to her husband. "I cannot continue." Zello struggled to remain sober, yet he too surrendered to his wife's smile.

"All-father!" Tarvakian said. "You have ruined my fun." The room was standing about in confusion, some smiling unknowingly with their masters, others wondering if the family had lost their minds.

"There will be no buying of days," Master said as he moved closer to Cotter. "In two months' time, All Father's Day will be upon us. A day when little business is done. Two days prior, our gates will close, and they will not open until two days past the great day. It is our gift to our property for all that they have done to move this house toward the greatness my grandson will one day inherit."

"Five days?" Cotter said as he counted on his fingers. He had forgotten the honorific. Tarvakian seemed oblivious to the fault.

"Aye, five days my grandson gives you. It would be a good time to spend your fund for wine, and treats, and songsters, and storytellers, or whatever will make the time more pleasurable, for there will be no labor for five days," Master announced.

Kelton marveled at the brilliance of it. All Father's Day was a slow time where most families retracted into themselves. It is easy enough to schedule trades around it, or at least with only small disruptions. A gift and still Master causes the fund to be drained so it can not be contemplated again for a while. Great happiness with little damage to profits, which in turn will build loyalty and higher future profits.

"I think Master Yelvin is the wisest of masters," Cotter said with a growing smile. Thi was beaming next to him.

"Aye," the Princess agreed. "Shrewd like grandfathers, and kind like his father."

"And as beautiful as his mother," Zello added as he placed his arm around his wife's waist.

"You were right," Felicity whispered to Kelton. "It is a devious plot."

"Five days?" Yanda wanted clarification as if it were a ruse.

"Five days," Kelton repeated. "Master is allowing the fund to be spent on things that entertain, like storytellers. I must say I am looking forward to that." It brought back memories of the one he once called father — fond memories, from before the death of the Brother and the upheaval that followed.

"What of the dresses. They will not sew themselves." Yanda's accent remained strong, but her grasp of the language had improved more than Kelton's Sorinnian. Conversation had become simplistic, though some of the fun had left with better understanding.

"Five days of not thinking of such things," Kelton said softly. He sat on the bed and pulled her to his side. "Your patrons will only be slowed, not stifled." Yanda took great pride in her designs. They proved popular with the young, and those who wished to appear so. Glenda had her training others to keep up with the desires.

"Aye," Yanda sighed.

"You will not miss it," Kelton said.

"Aye, I will," Yanda argued. She leaned her head against his shoulder.

"You dress half the Kingdom now. Do you think the other half will not wait?"

'You are good at many things," Yanda said. "I am good at one. I wish to remain so."

"One? I remember a warrior with a bow that rarely missed."

Yanda smiled. "Two things."

"And the weaving of hair," Kelton added. That earned him a slap on his thigh. Proving Yanda wrong was always a risky endeavor.

"You know my meaning."

"Aye," Kelton admitted. "I, too, am proud of your work. Some believe it is my influence, and I admit, I sometimes let them think so. Your skirts are beautiful to behold."

"It is a silly thing to have pride in," Yanda said. "I dress many who have more coin than mind. But each one smiles at the result, and it fills me inside." She smiled again. "It is like a warm brother on a cold night."

"So I am like cloth you say," Kelton said.

"Aye. Warm skin in which to wrap myself. Did you think otherwise?"

"Aye, sister. I thought myself your muse. Without me, you couldn't make pleasing undergarments." Kelton ducked at Yanda's playful swing. Her other hand was swifter than he anticipated, and his ear was at her mercy. She twisted it between her fingers with care.

"You claim my skill?" Yanda was grinning at Kelton's predicament.

"Nay, Princess," Kelton said. She disliked being reminded of her lineage, which made his feigned capitulation gratifying. He knew she wouldn't harm him, but a little pain was well within past experience.

"I await your sorrows." Yanda was struggling not to laugh as she squeezed. Kelton knew she enjoyed wielding power, even if it was in a playful way.

"My sorrows, my lady," Kelton replied with faux grief. Yanda released his ear then kissed it with tenderness. As was her way, she followed with a kiss on his forehead. It was well worth a sore ear.

A knock on the door ended the sweetness. It was the Princess with Yelvin sleeping in the nook of her arm. Behind her stood Priva, serving the Princess as always.

"Mistress," both Kelton and Yanda acknowledged in unison. Behind the walls of house Tarvakian, Alliette had done away with kneeling and adding high to the honorific. It was her first demand of the house that all see her as Zello's equal and no more. Outside of the walls, she returned to a full Princess for the Kingdom's sake.

"I am told you are going to the library in the morning, Kelton?"

"Aye."

Alliette pulled a sealed note from a pocket in her skirt. "It is for my mother. Gladfee will see that she gets it. I regret that I didn't pay more attention to her planning ways and now need her assistance. No one knows the songsters and storytellers better than her."

"I will see it done, Mistress," Kelton said as he took the letter. "It is a good thing the house has done."

"Aye, it is," Alliette agreed. "If it is as enjoyable as expected, mayhap it will be done again."

"I will fall behind on my dresses, Mistress," Yanda warned.

"No matter," Alliette said, waving away Yanda's concern. "It is only five days. I will tell the ladies it is my doing, and you fought me all the way. They will desire them all the more."